Hogshead



Dec. 22, 1936. W 5, LUCKETT 2,065,320

HOGSHEAD Filed Aug. 17, 1935 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 'l i* Y 63 INVENTOR. 6360/ WML/m5. .L/:KETT

f ATTORNEY.

Dec. 22, 1936. W', UCKETT 2,065,320

HoGsHEAD Filed Aug. 17, v1935 4 sheets-sheet' 3 Fnsl.

F/EJE. 128129 l l l ATTORNEY.

Dec 22, 1936. w. s. I U'CKETlr HOGSHEAD Filed Aug. 1'?, 1935 4Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR. WLM/#MELL/a/(Err l M l/ /f-WTT RNEY.

Patented Dec. 22, 1936 UNITED STATES ATENT @FHQE l Claims.

My present invention relates to hogsheads or the like, especially,adapted for use in storing, aging, and shipping leaf tobacco. y

As is Well known, leaf tobacco is cut and cured by the growers orfarmers, after which it is graded and taken in a loose state to auctionWarehouses where it is sold to the manufacturers of tobacco products orto leaf tobacco dealers. The manufacturers of tobacco products, as Wellas the leaf tobacco dealers, take the tobacco to their plants Where,after certain preliminary treatments, it is packed in hogsheads whichare then stored in properly ventilated storage Warehouses and allowed to`remain in the hogsheads and storage Warehouses for a considerablelength of time, that is, generally from two to three years for agingpurposes.

For a great manyyears it has been the general custom, and at the presenttime it is the general practice, to construct the hogsheads on thepremises or adjacent the premises Where the tobacco is to be stored forthe aging purposes. In constructing the hogsheads a great quantity ofstaples and nails are used in securing the staves, hoops and heads ofthe hogsheads in place. Due to the fact that the tobacco sweats in thehogsheads at certain times, and also because of rough handling of thehogsheads, a great many of the staples and nails become loosened, andthe hoops originally secured in place thereby fall off of the hogsheads.

After the tobacco has been properly aged the hogsheads with theircontents are sent to the factories Where the leaf tobacco is to bemanufactured into the usual products. To gain access to the interior ofthe hogshead, as generally constructed, it is necessary to at leastpartly demolish them. The removal of the nails and staples, andsplintering of the staves and heads results in causing foreign matter,such as the nails, staples and splinters of wood becoming admiXed Withthe tobacco. This is objectionable because the manufactured productsshould not contain foreign matter, and the presence thereof in thetobacco during manufacturing processes often results in serious damageto the machinery. Very great care must be, and usually is, taken toremove even the most minute particles of metal and splintered wood fromthe tobacco prior to and during the manufacturing processes whichrequires not only the utmost vigilance on the part of those handling thetobacco, but also necessitates providing special equipment on many r ofthe machines intended to remove the particles of metal and other foreignmatter from the tobacco.

With the foregoing in mind the principal general object of my presentinvention resides in the provision of a knock-down hogshead Which may beassembled and disassembled with facility and in a very short period oftime by one person, and which, when assembled, possesses great strengthso that it will withstand all pressures, stresses, and forces createdand encountered during the packing of the tobacco' in the hogsheads,during aging and sweating of the tobacco in the hogshead, and duringhandling of the hogsheads, that is, When loading the hogsheads, storingthem, unloading them, and shipping them.

' While the foregoing general object of the present invention is similarto that of my co-pending application Ser. No. 16,677 filed April 16,1935, I provide in the present invention for a unitary hogshead insteadof a separable hogshead, and certain improvements with respect to theconstruction and mounting of the staves, binding of the staves, andconstruction of the heads as hereinafter pointed out in detail.

An important object of the present invention resides in the constructionof the respective heads or ends of the hogsheads, one of which I willterm the bottom head, Which is preferably formed or'stamped from a sheetof metal in the nature of a disc provided around its periphery with astave receiving channel, and elements adapted to readily receive andhold in place certain of the staves. The other of the heads, which IWill term the top, is preferably provided With an outside top hoop orbinding band readily applicable around the ends of the staves regardlessof discrepancies in the dimensions of the staves, the circumference ofthe hogshead, or any irregularities therein.

Another important object of the invention resides in the provision of ahead so constructed as to resist the effects of forces or shocks Whichwould split heads constructed and mounted in the usual manner.

Another important object of the invention resides in the' provision ofanchoring means for wire hoops applied at predetermined intervals aroundthe hogshead and capable of definitely locating the hoops andmaintaining them in definite locations throughout the entire agingperiod of the tobacco, and permitting reuse of the Wire hoops after thehogshead has been emptied and disassembled.

The foregoing and other objects and advantages of the invention in itspreferred form and several modifications Will be pointed out in detailduring the course of the following description of the accompanyingdrawings, in which Fig. 1 is an elevation of a hogshead embodying apreferred form of my invention with parts broken away and partly insection;

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of one of the attaching staves;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken longitudinallythrough one of the attaching staves and the top head in assembledrelation;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged sectional view taken on the line i--d of Fig. 1 atthe bottom of the hogshead;

Fig. 5 is a view taken on the line 5 5 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary View looking in the direction of the arrows onthe line 6 6 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of one of the wire hoop receiving andretaining plates;

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of one of the plates used in connecting theplates Fig. 7 to the hogshead;

Fig. 9 is a top plan view of the hogshead shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 10 is a transverse central sectional View across the bottom of thehogshead shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. l1 is a perspective view of the binding hoop for the top of thestaves of the hogshead shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 12 is a View taken on the line |2-l2 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 13 is a view in elevation with parts broken away and partly insection of a hogshead embodying a modiiication of the invention;

Fig. 14 is a fragmentary sectional View on an enlarged scale of thefastening means for the bottom shown in Fig. 13;

Fig. 15 is a view taken on the line I5-l5 of Fig. 14;

Fig. 16 is a View similar to Fig. 14 showing the fastening means for thetop of the hogshead shown in Fig. 13;

Figs. 17 and 18 are perspective views of fastening plates used oncertain of the staves in the embodiment shown in Fig. 13 to secure themto the top and bottom heads respectively;

Fig. 19 is a top plan View of a modification of the means for securingthe binding band around the periphery of the head and affordingadjustment of the band relative to the head;

Fig. 20 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view similar to Fig. 3showing a further modification of the invention;

Fig. 21 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view similar to Fig. 4showing another modication of the invention in respect to the means forholding the bottom head in place;

Fig. 22 is a View taken on the line 22-22 of Fig. 21 looking in thedirection of the arrows;

Fig. 23 is a fragmentary enlarged side elevation of parts shown in Fig.21;

Fig. 24 is a top plan view of the connecting pin or cotter shown in Fig.20 to hold the top head in place; and

Fig. 25 is an enlarged fragmentary view in elevation of one of theplates carried by the staves showing a modification and the means ofdetachably securing the ends of the wire hoops.

Referring to Fig. 1 the letters A designate the assembling staves, whilethe letters B designate the intermediate staves, all of which arearranged in an annular group forming the wall of the hogshead betweenthe upper head designated generally by the letter H and the lower heador bottom designated by H. The staves are preferably formed of eithersolid wood or laminated wood known as ply-wood. Ihe wooden portion ofthe staves A is preferably of substantially the same width as the stavesB, but slightly shorter.

Referring to Figs. 2 and 3 it will be noted that the tops of the stavesA have secured thereto U-shaped plates 2B of slightly less width thanthe staves and having their bottom edges curved as designated by thenumeral 2| to avoid clearly defined or sharp straight edges across thestaves, which straight edges, during handling of the staves and droppingthem from a considerable height, might result in breaking the staves.However, the round bottoms of the U- shaped plates avoids this tendencyto breakage. The lower ends of the plates 2) overlap the ends of thestaves A, and are secured thereto by rivets 22 or the like which passthrough the front and back portions of the plates 20 as well as throughopenings in the staves A. Thus the upper ends of the staves arere-enforced by the metal plates 20.

The U-shaped plates 2@ have openings 23 provided by cutting and bendingwings 24 from the front and back portions or arms of the plates 2li andbending them inwardly in opposite directions across the space betweenthe front and rear of the plate. The upper ends of the staves A abut thelower ends of the Wings 24 and also provide pockets to receive fillerblocks 25 which are inserted in said pockets from the bottoms of theplates 20 before they are attached toi the staves A by the rivets 22.Thus as shown in Fig. 3 the ller blocks 25, preferably of metal, aredefinitely confined between the wings 24, the tops of the staves A andthe tops 2S of the plates 20. The filler blocks 25 are also providedwith screw threaded openings 21 alined with the openings 23 and saidscrew threaded openings are definitely located due to the relative sizeof the fillers and the pockets provided by the wings 24, tops 26 of theplates 2Q, and tops of the staves A, certain of the filler blocks, aspresently described have two screw threaded openings.

Each of the staves A is also provided at its lower or bottom end with aplate 33, generally similar to the plates 2Q, and attached in the samemanner by rivets 3l adjacent the preferably rounded edges 32 similar toedges 2|. The plates 39 are also of U-shape and have openings 33 intheir opposite arms. Intermediate the sides of each of the plates 3S,and extending from the bottom 34 is a bayonet slot 35.

As many of the staves A, constructed substantially as above described,may be used as desired, and in the accompanying drawings, Figs. 1-11, Ihave shown provision for eight of the said staves, although six, four orany other number may be used. In other words, there is no limitation onthe number of staves A having the attaching plates 20, at their ends.

In the preferred form of the invention shown in Figs. 1-12 and beingdescribed, I also provide a stamped-up or cast metal bottom head H',including an annular base 3l', which may be ribbed for additionalstrength, if desired, and having around its periphery a stave receivinggroove or channel defined by an inner wall 38,

bottom wall 35, and upstanding outer wall 40. If desired, the outer wall40 may be provided with a bead 4I, and be also bent upon itself at itstop as indicated at 42 for additional rigidity or strength. Y

The space between the Walls38 and 45 is such as to receive the plates Landthe botto-ms of the staves B. At regular intervals, corresponding tothe number of staves A and plates 30 used, the'walls 38 and 45 haveportions 43 and 44 struck up therefrom into overlapping relationextending across the channel or groove between the walls 3B and il@ andadapted to fit into the bayonet slots 35 of the staves A. As previouslymentioned, in the present case I have illustrated the use of eightstaves A having plates 30 and eight bayonet slots 35, so that therewould be eight of the overlapping portions 43 and M which when struck upprovide openings 65 around the bottom of the hogshead.

To assemble the staves forming the wall of the hogshead, the staves A,that is, those having the plates 2i) and 35 attached to the endsthereof, are rst placed in position by inserting the plates 35 withinthe channel of the bottom head I-I between the walls 38-50 with theoverlapping ears or portions 43-44 alined with the longitudinal portionsof the bayonet slots 35 on the plates 35, after which the staves A aregiven a lateral twist or movement to position the portions or ears 'i3-lill in the longitudinal ends 46 of the bayonet slots. The staves B,that is, plain wood staves, equal to the combined length of the staves Aplus the plates 25 and 3B thereon are then inserted in the channel inthe bottom head H between the staves A. To complete the hogshead it isthen only necessary to bind the tops of all of the staves, and to insertthe top head H.

At this point I would explain that in connection With the storing andaging of tobacco, the hogshead thus far above described would preferablyhave inserted on its interior over therdisc or bottom 3l a veneer orwooden disc 41, so that little or no metal would contact the tobacco. Iwould also point out that the integral or unitary structure of the metalbase or bottom head H' greatly facilitates assembly of the hogshead andimparts thereto great strength suflicient to resist all strains,stresses and blows encountered during packing of the hogshead, handlingthereof, and aging of the tobacco therein.

In completing the hogshead the rst step, after positioning therespective staves in the manner just specified, is to bind their tops,and this, in the preferred form of the invention, is accomplished byproviding an outer binding band shown in detail in Fig. 11 anddesignated generally by the numeral 59. This band is in the nature of asplit metal ring, preferably though not necessarily, having adjacent itslower edge a strengthening bead 55 and on its top an inwardly extendingflange 5I. At the point designated by the numeral 52 the flange 5l iscut away so that the end 53 of the band is plain or straight to engageunder the end of the flange 5l on the opposite end of the band, thuspermitting a straight overlap at the ends of the band. At the center ofthe band there are provided two openings 513 and 55, and those of thestaves A which are used at diametrically opposite points of the hogsheadand band 49, that is, at the split end thereof and the center thereof,have provided in their plates 2l] filler blocks 25 each provided with apair of screw threaded openings to align with the openings 54 and 55 andthe openings at the split end of the band about to be described.

One end of the band 49, that is, the outside end which overlaps theinner cut away or notched end 53 is provided with a pair of openings 55and 5lV while the inner or overlapped end 53 is provided with an equallydistance spaced pair of openings 53 and 59 adapted for alinement withthe openings 55 and 51 when the band is drawn around the tops of thestaves with the ilange 5l disposed over the ends of the staves. Tofacilitate application of the band. @il to the ends of the staves, Iprovide also an opening 65 in the band, preferably adjacent theoverlapped or notched end 53, so that a compressing tool may be insertedin the opening 60 and in the opening 56 to draw the openings 5l and 58into alinement to receive a short screw 6| engaging into the filler' inthe stave A which is disposed at this particular point on the hogshead.Thus the band is held closed. Another short screw 52 is inserted throughthe opening 54 and into the proper opening in the filler in the stave Adiametrically opposite. Preferably, the latter mentioned screw isinserted rst through the opening 54 and tightened before the screw 6| isinserted and tightened. Thus the band i9 is centered on the tops of thestaves, and due to the fact that I preferably provide elongated openingsor slots 63 at definite intervals around the band 49, corresponding tothe intervals at which the other staves A are arranged, the band may beapplied Y with no difficulty and in a very short period of time,regardless of irregularities in the staves and the circumference of theupper end of the iggshead where staves B are encircled by band At thetime when the staves have thus been secured at their tops and bottoms, Ialso preferably bind them intermediate their tops and bottomscircumferentially by wire hoops to prevent warping of the staves orbreakage thereof f r or undesirable bulging when the hogshead is packedand handled. A preferred form of bind'- ing the hogshead with the wirehoops consists in applying to the outer surfaces of some or all of thestaves as presently described, and at desired intervals, plates 65 shownin detail in Fig. 7, the length of the plates 65 being substantially thesame as the Width of the staves. Adjacent their ends the plates 65 areprovided with openings 65, and are also crimped to provide bulges 6l,provided with hoop receiving openings 58. To rivet or otherwise securelyfasten the plates 55 to the wooden staves would ordinarily require theuse of washers, and if desired, washers may be used on the oppositesides of the staves, but I prefer to provide elongated plates 69 shownin detail in Fig. 8 and adapted to extend substantially entirely across`the staves and being of substantially the same dimensions as the plates55. The plates 59 are provided adjacent their ends with openings 1Dspaced apart the same distance as the openings 65 so that rivets or thelike l0 may be secured through the plates 55, the staves, and the plates59.

I nd that the foregoing arrangement of the plates 55 and 59 extendingsubstantially across the staves imparts a re-enforcement thereto againstlongitudinal splitting, and while I have shown in Fig. 1 the plates 65distributed at irregular intervals with at least one attached to each ofthe staves A and B in the manner above described, I wish it to beunderstood that I may arrange the plates 55 so as to have one or more onone stave and a corresponding number on a diametrically opposite stave,or two on diametrically opposite staves in one direction and two ondiametrically opposite staves in another direction, etc.

While any type of wire possessing suiiicient tensile strength may beused to form the intermediate hoops by threading the wire throughopenings 68 in plates 65 and twisting the ends together, I preferablyprovide ready cut and formed lengths of wire to form the hoopsdesignated by the numeral 1.|. These predetermined lengths of wire haveat one end thereof loops 12 formed by bending the wire and twisting itupon itself in any suitable manner. The other ends of the wires arestraight in their original form. To apply the hoops 1l the wire isinserted through the alined openings 68 in the respective plates 65 atthe predetermined intervals at which the plates are arrangedlongitudinally of the hogshead with the loops 12 adjacent one of theplates 65. When the wires have been entirely passed around the hogsheadand through the openings 68 in the alined crimps of the respectiveplates, the free ends of the wires are passed through the loops 12 andbent back upon themselves and inserted again in reverse directionthrough the last of the pair of openings 68 with a wedging action afterpulling them taut to hold the hogshead against excessive eX- pansionbetween its ends. Of course if desiredy the free end of the wires may betwisted upon themselves after being passed through the loopsy 12 andtightened, or may be bent back after passing through the last of theopenings 68 in the final plate 65. The wire hoops constructed inaccordance with my invention are obviously reusable and retain theiroriginal established positions on the hogsheads due to the fixedpositions of the attaching plates 65 which maintain the wires in place.

The next step is to iill and close the hogsheads. In the case oftobacco, it is dumped in and pressed down under considerable prescure,after which the top heads I-I are inserted and secured in place.

In the present preferred form of the invention, as well as in themodification thereof, although not essential, I construct the top heads3 of a disc of wood constructed either of separate boards or of a discof ply-wood and designated by the numeral 14. I encircle this disc ofwood marginally by a channel shaped annular metal band of greaterdiameter than the disc 1li. As shown in Fig. 9 the ends of the channelshaped band overlap as at 'it and are secured together by rivets 11which extend therethrough. Thus the wooden disc 14 may shift laterallywithin the band 15 so that if the hogshead so falls that a severe blowis encountered at the top head adjacent the edge thereof, the metal band15 will withstand the blow and the wooden disc 14 may shift within theband 15 to avoid splitting the wooden disc.

After the hogshead has been completely lled under pressure the upperhead I-I comprising the parts 14, 15 is placed on top of the contentsand pressed down until screws 18 having a portion 19 of their Shanksscrew threaded and their outer ends 80 Unthreaded and elongated may beinserted through the openings 63 in the band 49 and into the openings 21in the ller blocks 25, to hold the head firmly but removably locked onthe hogshead. It will be noted by reference to Fig. 9 that two of thescrews 18 are also inserted through the openings 55 and 56-59 ofthe bandadjacent the shorter screws.

It should be apparent from the foregoing that hogsheads embodying thefeatures just described may be readily assembled to receive the tobacco,and will withstand all of the stresses and forces encountered during theaging process, handling and shipment, and after the aging process iscompleted, may be readily disassembled and stored in fiat condition,occupying relatively small storage space. When it is again time toassemble the hogsheads, all of the parts may be reused.Furthermoreduring the assembly and disassembly it is not necessary tobreak any of the parts, nor to forcibly remove individual fasteningelements, which in the case of the usual hogsheads become admixed withthe tobacco.

While the foregoing disclosure embodies a preferred form of my inventionI have also shown modifications, and in Fig. 13 have illustrated anassembled hogshead embodying the general principles of the preferredform, but varying therefrom in certain details about to be described.

Referring to Fig. 13, the letters A and B' designate stavescorresponding to staves A and B in the preferred embodiment of theinvention of Figs. 1-12, that is, the attaching staves and theintermediate or ller staves. The numeral 82 designates the top headcorresponding to that of the preferred form of the invention, that is,having a wooden disc enclosed within a channel binding strip permittingshifting movement of the wooden disc as previously described and for thesame purpose.

Instead of providing U-shaped attaching plates. and 3l) of Figs. 1-4 onthe attaching staves, I may provide as shown in Figs. 13-18, on the topsof the staves A', plates designated generally by the numeral 83 havingsolid top portions 84 and bifurcated bottoms 85 provided with a channel86 to receive the top ends of the staves. Some of the plates 93 arepreferably provided with two openings 81, one of which receives theshort screws 62 which secure the top binding band 88 corresponding tothe band i9 in position on the top of the hogshead, and others of whichmay be provided with single central openings 81 to receive the elongatedscrews 89 corresponding toI the screws` 6I which hold the head on thehogshead. The lower or bifurcated ends of the plates 83 are providedwith openings 99 to receive screws 9i extending through the staveslocated in the channels 86 and securing the plates to the ends of thestaves. The band 88 is alsoy provided with slots 92 which receive screws89 in the same manner that the slots 63 in the band 49 receive thescrews 6|.

Another difference in the embodiment of the invention shown in Figs.13-18 from that shown in Figs. 1-12 resides in the provision of plates93 on the lower ends of the staves A. The plates 93 are generallysimilar to the plates 83, but reversed in that the upper ends of theplates 93 are bifurcated to provide the stave receiving channels 94between the arms 95 which are provided with the openings 96 to receivescrews 91 extending through the lower ends of the staves and securingthe plates 93 thereto. The lower ends of the plates 93 are provided withbayonet slots 98.

Also in the modification of the invention, and as shown best in Figs. 13and lll, the bottom of the hogshead has an encircling outside band 99which may be provided adjacent its top with a A bead and folded uponitself at |0| above the bead to impart additional strength to the band.The band 99 also has an inwardly extending flange |02. Another or innerband |03 of substantially Z-shape has a lower ange |03 on which theflange |02 rests. The overlapping ends or flanges |62 and |03 of thebands 99 and |03 provide a channel or groove |05 to receive the staves.The band 99 carries or holds in place pins which support the bottom head|06, which is encircled around its periphery or marginal portions by anL-shaped metal band |01. The pins which hold the bottom head |95 inplace have elongated shanks |03 extending from an angular or squareshoulder |09, at'the outer ends of which are reduced ends H0 which maybe peened over or riveted to form heads locking the pins to the band 99.Of course the inner band |93 has openings H2 to receive the shanks |00of the pins and the outer band 99 has openings H3 to receive the reducedends H0.

In assembling the plates 99, |03, head |05 and locking pins, the pinsare secured to the band 99. The head 05 is positioned against the topflange M of the Z-shaped plate |03 and then the outer band 99 is placedaround the inner band |03 with the ends or flanges |02 and |04overlapping and with the shanks |08 of the pins carried by the bands 99extending through the openings I |2 of the band |03 beneath the head|00. This provides the channel |35 between plates 99 and |03 to receivethe staves B and the lower ends of the plates 93 on staves A. In otherwords, instead of providing the integrally cast or stamped metal bottomhaving the stave receiving channel as in Figs. 1-12, I assemble theparts 99, |03 and |06 with the locking pins to receive the staves in thechannel |05. Of course the shoulders |99 of the pins are disposed insuch channel so that when the plates 93 on the staves A' are inserted,the said shoulders will be received in the bayonet slots of the plates93 and upon lateral movement of the staves A', the same will beremovably locked to the bottom head, after which the staves B' may beinserted between the staves A in the same manner as explained inconnection with the staves B and staves A of Figs. 1-12.

I would also call attention to the fact that the shoulders H6 on theplates 93, and H5 on the plates B3, are engaged by the respective heads,thus cooperating in holding the heads in place. Obviously the manner ofassembly is the same as explained in connection with Figs 1-12, that is,the lower ends of the staves are first positioned in the channel |05 andthen the upper band 88 is applied and secured in place by the shortscrews, following which the intermediate. binding hoops Hl correspondingto the hoops 'H are bound around the hogshead.

Whereas in the embodiment of the invention shown and described inconnection with Figs. 1-12, VI show and describe separate plates 65secured to certain or all of the staves to hold the hoops in place, inthe modification being described I provide, preferably on the staves A',elongated metal strips H8 having at predetermined intervals bends orcrimps H9 providing channels |20 through which the hoops are disposed.The strips I l0 may be attached to the staves by rivets or screws |2|with washers or locking plates |22 arranged on the opposite sides of thestaves. The hoops Hl are preferably constructed in the manner describedin connection with the hoops 7|, but may be held in place by separatetubular locking devices |23 through which the wire extends in oppositedirections and with the free end of the wire bent over the lockingdevice as indicated at |29.

In Fig. 19 I have shown a modification of the invention applicable toeither form above described in connection with the re-enforcement orbinding of the upper heads. In Fig. 19 the ends of the channel shaped orbinding member l5' corresponding to binding member l5 are shownconnected by an adjustable link |26 which is flxedly secured at one endas indicated at |21 by rivets or the like to one end of the binding band75. The other end of the link is provided with a slot |28, and the otherend of the band 15 has a stop pin |29 located in the slot |28. The bandl5 also carries a screw |30 which receives a washer |3| and nut |32 tohold the ends of the band l5 in properly spaced relation determining thedesired circumference and permitting the lateral shifting of the woodendisc within the band 15.

Referring to Fig. 20 there is shown a further modication of theinvention in respect to the means for connecting or associating thelocking plates on or with the attaching staves A', similar to the'stavesA, as well as a modification in the means for holding the top head H',similar to the head I-I, in closed position after the hogshead has beenpacked. I have previously Vdescribed the preferred form of constructionof the top head, and having shown the same form in Fig. 20 deem nofurther detailed description thereof necessary.

Whereas in Fig. 18 I show an attaching plate 03 having an upper end 83formed integrally with a bifurcated lower portion providing arms 85 and86 to embrace the upper ends of the attaching staves, in Fig. 20 I haveshown the modication consisting in the provision of a plate |35, ofsubstantially the same width as the staves A', adapted to be arranged onthe top of said staves and secured thereto by metal straps |36, |30extending along the inner and outer faces of the staves A andoverlapping the lower ends of the plates |35. Rivets |31 secure thestraps |36, |36 to the plates |35, and rivets |38 secure straps |30, |36to staves A. Thus the plates |35 are connected to the ends of theattaching staves A. An encircling band 49', corresponding to band 49 ofFig. l and having the bead 50 corresponding to bead 50, is arrangedaround the top of the hogshead and secured in place in the same manneras described in connection with the band 49. On each plate |35 I providea projection or bead |39 adapted to receive the bead 50'; and on theopposite face of the plates 35 I provide projections |50 which act asstops to downward movement of the head I-I. Of course the provision ofthe projections or beads |39 and |40 is optional, but I nd that theyimpart additional strength to the hogshead and facilitate assembly ofthe parts.

The band 49 and the plate |35 are provided with registering openings |4|similar to the openings 2l, that is, located similarly, but the openings|4| are not screw threaded, and are angular to receive the split pins orcotters designated generally by the numeral |50 in Fig. 20 and shown indetail in Fig. 24.

Referring to Fig. 24 the numeral I 5I designates the head of the splitpin or cotter, which head is of greater circumference than the openingsIll. The said pin or cotter |563 is provided with a neck |52, which isrectangular or polygonal in cross section to correspond to the crosssectional shape of the opening Ifil, and of a length substantially thesame as that of openings lll. The head I 5I of the pin or cotter |56,when the pin or cotter is inserted through the alined openings IM, ofcourse is located on the exterior or outside of the attaching staves orthe plates |35 forming a part thereof. The neck |52 terminates at itsinner end at tapered shoulders |53, which are spaced apart further innormal condition than the diameter or cross sectional area of theopenings II. Beyond the shoulders |53 the cotters 25|! are provided withelongated Shanks |54 divided by a cutaway portion or channel |55 deningthe space between the Shanks I5@ as well as the opposite portions of theneck |52. The cotters o1` split pins |50 are formed of resilient metalso that the Shanks |54 are normally urged apart so that shoulders |53will hold the pins in openings IQI for abutment by the top head. Whenthe hogshead ernbodying or constructed in accordance with any of thefeatures previously described in connection with the bottom closure hasbeen fully packed, it may be closed by pressing the head H down againstthe lateral projections or beads I4 on the plates |35 and then drivingthe cotters or split pins |58 through the openings IClI. It will beobvious that when the Shanks Iii-d have completely passed through theopenings Uil that the shoulders |53 will expand thus removably lockingand holding the heads H in closed position on the hogshead.

Due to the resilience and construction of the cotters or split pins |55,to open the hogshead it is simply necessary to strike the inner ends ofthe shanks |54 with sufficient force to cause the beveled surfaces ofthe shoulders |53 to ride through the openings IllI, thus contractingthe pins or cotters |55 so that complete removal may be made withfacility.

In Figs. 21-23 I have shown a modification of the invention in respectto the means for holding the lower head or bottom of the hogshead inplace. Whereas in the embodiment of the invention shown in Fig. 4, Iprovide overlapping portions 53 and lil on the encircling bands toengage in the bayonet slot I5 on the plates 39; and in Fig. i4 showlocking members carried by the band 59 and having portions |55 to engagein the bayonet slots, and shanks I disposed beneath the bottom or lowerhead; in the form of the invention shown in Figs. 21-23 I provide amodified form of locking device for the lower head or bottom. Metalstraps |51, |5l" similar to straps |35, |35 of Fig. 2e are secured tothe lower ends of the attaching staves as by means of rivets |58. Thelower ends of the straps |51, |51 project beyond the lower ends of theattaching staves and provide pockets to receive the upper ends of plates|59 through which and straps |51, |51" are rivets |65 securing the saidplates |59 to the lower ends of the attaching staves A.

A band or hoop of channel shape in cross section, and having an outerwall IiI and an inner wall |52 joined by the bottom |53, is provided toreceive the lower ends of the staves and the locking plates |59 on theattaching staves. The said hoop or band is provided with a lateraliiange |64 extending inwardly from the upper end of the inner wall |62.The lower head or bottom |65 is bound around its margin by a band orhoop |56. The head |65 is adapted to rest on the flange |615 when thehogshead is assembled.

To firmly hold the lower head or bottom |65 in place, in the embodimentof the invention shown in Figs. 21-23, I provide plates designatedgenerally7 by the numeral |51 having a portion or neck |58 to iit in thebayonet slots |69 of the plates |59. The outer ends of the plates |51are peened over against the outer wall IGI of the bottom encircling bandto provide heads |l' securing the plates |61 to said band. The otherends of the plates |51 are relatively broad and flat and provided withgrooves |1| which receive the flanges |64 of the encircling band whenthe parts are asembled. Alined openings are formed through the tops ofthe bands its through the heads |65, flanges |64 and plates |51 toreceive rivets or equivalent fastening elements |12 to hold said partstogether and securing the bottom or lower head of the hogshead iirmly inplace. If desired, the outer ends H3 of the plates |51 may be providedwith openings to receive rivets as shown in dot and dash lines in Fig.2l and designated by the numeral I'l'l to further secure the plates |61to the bottoms or lower heads |65.

In Fig. 25 I have shown still a further modification, especiallyrelating to the manner of securing the intermediate or binding wirehoops Il around the hogshead. It will be understood that theconstruction of the hoops 1| is preferably the same as the hoops 1|, andthe modiication of Fig. 25 resides in the manner of attaching orsecuring the free ends of the hoops. In other words, the hoops 1| haveat one end loops 12 similar to loops 12, and plates 65 are identicalwith plates G5 of Fig. 7, and may be attached to certain of the stavesas desired. Also the plates 65 have the channels 61 extendingtransversely across the plates, and openings 68 thru said channels asshown in Fig. 7. Under the embodiment of the invention shown in Fig. 25after the wires or hoops 1| have been passed around the hogshead andthrough the openings 58 of the plates S5', the free end of the wire orhoops is passed through loop 12' and is then bent back as indicated atand through the channel or groove 61 as indicated at I'IG, and then bentover the plate 65' parallel with the groove 61 as indicated at I 11.This manner of tying or attaching the hoops 1| is accomplished withfacility and aifords a very rm attachment to removably hold the hoopsaround the hogshead.

I wish it to be understood that the several modifications of theinvention above described may be freely interchanged, that is, thedifferent means of attaching the tops may be freely interchanged withmeans for attaching the bottoms, and the several means for securing theintermediate wire hoops around the hogshead may be used with either orany of the means for attaching the tops and bottoms to the staves. Forinstance, the construction of either Fig. 3 or Fig. may be used inconnection with the construction of either Figs. 4, 15 or 21. I deem itunnecessary to make any further mention of the interchangeability orselective use of the dif ferent embodiments of the invention inconstructing hogsheads embodying the features and advantages abovepointed out.

What I claim is:

1. A knockdown hogshead including top and bottom heads and a pluralityof staves arranged in an annular group therebetween, at least one ofsaid heads having an annular channel to receive the staves at one endthereof, cooperating elements on certain of said staves and in saidchannel engageable upon longitudinal and lateral movements of saidcertain of the staves relative to said one head to detachably securesaid certain of the staves to said one head at predetermined intervals,the other of `said stavesbeing dise posed intermediate said certainstaves and located in said channel at one end, means to bind the otherends of the staves, and means removably inserted through certain of thestaves and engageable with the top of the other head to detachablysecure the other head in place closing the other end of the hogshead.

2. A knockdown hogshead including top and bottom heads and a pluralityof staves arranged in an annular group therebetween, at least one ofsaid heads having an annular channel to receive the staves at one endthereof, cooperating elements on certain of said staves andin saidchannel engageable upon longitudinal and lateral movements of saidcertain of the staves relative to said one head to detachably securesaid certain of the staves to said one head at predetermined intervals,the other oi said staves being disposed intermediate said certain stavesand located in said channel at one end, means to bind the other ends ofthe staves, and detachable elements cooperating with said binding meansand said certain of the staves to detachably hold the other head inplace closing the other end of the hogshead. Y

3. A knockdown Ahogshead including top and bottom heads and a pluralityof staves arranged in an annular group therebetween, at least one ofsaid heads comprising a metal disc having a marginal channel formedintegrally therewith to receive the staves at one end thereof,cooperating elements on certain of said staves and in said channelengageable upon longitudinal and lateral movements of said certain ofthe staves relative to said one head to detachably secure said certainof the staves to said one head at predetermined intervals, the other ofsaid staves being disposed intermediate .said certain staves and locatedin said channel at one end, means to bind the other ends of the staves,and means associated with the other ends of certain of the staves todetachably secure the other head in place closing the other end of thehogshead.

4. A knockdown hogshead including top and bottom heads and a pluralityof staves arranged in an annular group therebetween, at least one ofsaid heads comprising a metal disc having a marginal channel formedintegrally therewith to receive the staves at one end thereof,cooperating elements on certain of said staves and in said channelengageable upon longitudinal and lateral movements of said certain ofthe staves relative to said one head to detachably secure said certainof the staves to said one head at predetermined intervals, the other ofsaid staves being disposed intermediate said certainstaves and locatedin said channel at one end, means to bind the other ends of the staves,and means cooperating with said binding Vmeans and said certain of thestaves to detachably hold the other head in place closing the other endof the hogshead.

5. A knockdown hogshead including top and bottom heads and a pluralityof staves arranged in an annularV group therebetween, at least one ofsaid heads having an annular channel to receive the staves at one endthereof, cooperating elements on certain of said staves and in saidchannel engageable upon longitudinal and lat* eral movements of saidcertain of the staves relative to said one head to detachably securesaid certain of the staves to said one head at predetermined intervals,the other of said staves beingdisposed intermediate said certain stavesand located in said channel at one end, means to bind the other ends ofthe staves, means to detachably secure the other head in place closingthe other end of the hogshead, and detachable binding hoops encirclingsaid staves intermediate said heads. l

6. A knockdown hogshead including top and bottom heads and a pluralityof staves arranged in an annular group therebetween, at least one ofsaid heads having an annular channel to receive the staves at one endthereof, cooperating elements on certain of said staves and in saidchannel engageable upon longitudinal and lateral movements of saidcertain of the staves relative to said one head to detachably securesaid certain of the staves to said one head at predetermined intervals,the other of said staves being disposed between said certain staves andlocated in said channel at one end, a band encircling the other ends ofthe staves, and means on said certain of the staves adapted to cooperatewith said encircling band to hold said encircling band in positionaround said staves covering the upper ends thereof and to hold the otherhead in closed position.

7. A knockdown hogshead including top and bottom vheads and a pluralityof staves arranged in an annular group therebetween, at least one ofsaid heads having an annular channel to receive the staves at one endthereof, cooperating elements on the ends of certain of said staves andin said channel engageable upon longitudinal and lateral movements ofsaid certain of the staves relative to said one head to detachablysecure said certain of the staves to said one head at predeterminedintervals, the other of said staves being disposed between said certainstaves and located in said channel at one end, a band encircling theother ends of the staves, and means on the other Vends of said certainof the staves yadapted to receive removable fastening elements tocooperate with said encircling band to hold said encircling band inposition around said staves covering the upper ends thereof.

8. A knockdown hogshead including top and bottom heads and a pluralityof staves arranged in an annular group therebetween, at least one ofsaid heads having an annular channel to receive the staves at one endthereof, cooperating elements on the ends of certain of said staves andin said channel engageable upon longitudinal and lateral movements ofsaid certain of the staves relative to said one head to detachablysecure said certain of the staves to said one head at predeterminedintervals, the other of said staves being disposed between said certainstaves and located in said channel at one end, a band encircling theother ends of the staves, and means on the other ends of said certain ofthe staves adapted to receive removable fastening elements to cooperatewith said encircling band to hold said encircling band in positionaround said staves covering the upper ends thereof, and means engageablethrough said encircling band and said elements on certain of said stavesto detachably hold the other head in place closing the other end of thehogshead.

9. In a hogshead of the character described, attaching staves for theopposite heads of the hogshead comprising elongated boards having onopposite ends thereof metal plates embracing the ends of the staves,reenforcing said ends and provided with means adapted to receiveremovable fastening elements to secure said staves in place, and platessecured across said staves at predetermined intervals intermediate theends of the staves and provided with hoop receiving and retainingelements.

10. A knockdown hogshead of the character described including aplurality of staves arranged in an annular group and bound at theiropposite ends by detachable fastening bands, a removable head closingone end of the hogshead and composed of a disc of wood encircled by are-enforcing metal band of channel shape in cross-section and of greaterdiameter than the wooden disc whereby said Wooden disc may shift withinsaid channel shaped band for the purpose described.

WILLIAM S. LUCKETT.

